text: Natural resources engineering has always existed as an extension of biological engineering, but demand for such practices continue to increase along with increasing urbanization. The development of basic farming techniques, irrigation, and basic wells were a significant step in natural resources engineering for the Human race.  Important historical examples of natural resources engineering include the Roman aqueducts and the Hoover Dam. Natural resource engineering is of vital importance in developing regions to address issues such as access to clean drinking water as well as sanitation and sustainable food production. In 1981 Environmental Resource Engineering became the 6th Abet Accredited environmental engineering program in the U.S.  Natural resources engineering will be an important factor in how the natural environment will respond to rising pressure on environmental and agricultural resources.